ACB calls for action against importer of bomb suits

The anti-corruption bureau (ACB) has sought permission from the home ministry to register a First Information Report (FIR) against importer Bimal Aggarwal over irregularities in the purchase of bomb suits after the 26/11 terror attack.

The ACB, which submitted its report to the state government, has also recommended a departmental enquiry (DE) against several officials of the police and home department.

Aggarwal, who imported the suits, has come under the scanner for alleged cheating and fraud. Additional director general PK Jain, the erstwhile principal secretary in the home department, has been given a clean chit.

While senior ACB officials confirmed that the report had been sent to home ministry, they refused to divulge further detail. Home ministry officials said they were likely to send the report to the law and judiciary department for its opinion before taking a final decision.

Sources said the ACB's probe found that Aggarwal did not supply goods to the police as per their requirement. The suits were to be imported from America, but instead, were imported from China. Even the bank guarantee given by Aggarwal was not proper, sources said. The original tender was for 74 suits; yet, the contract was given out for 82 pieces. No one in the home department or in the police establish could explain how and why the additional suits were asked for.

The ACB was asked by the Bombay high court to probe the matter after a public interest litigation complained of irregularities in the matter. Repeated attempts to contact Aggarwal proved futile. He did not respond to a detailed SMS, which sought his version of the story.